This month, we’re proud to spotlight John Malone, widely regarded as one of the most influential entrepreneurs and dealmakers in media and telecommunications. His leadership transformed cable television and laid the foundation for today’s connected world. Drawing on his oral history from Syndeo Institute and celebrating the release of his new book, Born to Be Wired, we honor Malone’s entrepreneurial past while connecting it to the preparation of the next generation of industry innovators.
Few people have shaped the modern cable and communications industry more than John Malone—and now he’s telling his story.
In Born to Be Wired, released last month, Malone offers a rare, firsthand account of the deals, vision, and technological bets that defined his career. From taking the helm of Tele-Communications Inc. in 1973 to his current role as chairman of Liberty Media, owner of Formula 1, and Liberty Global, one of the world’s largest broadband companies, Malone reflects on five decades of transformative change. He generously shared his thoughts on connectivity, entrepreneurship, and the future of innovation with Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center. Here’s what he had to say:
What do you hope readers will take away from your book, Born to Be Wired?
My gratitude for the opportunities and people who have supported and worked with me. As I write in the book, “the people whom I befriended, learned from, and fought against—rather than the deals or the payoff—gave me the most satisfaction. I have been the beneficiary of extraordinary mentors, partners, and employees. If not for their support and dedication, none of the experiences I share here would have been possible. This book is a thank-you note to those people.” And thanks to The Cable Center, too, for invaluable access to oral histories and photos!
If you could distill the book into one key message about entrepreneurship or innovation, what would it be?
Try and be in a growth segment—it is easier to swim with the current. Always look for opportunities to reinvent your business, evolving with technology, customer needs, and regulation. Be prepared to exit a business early if you do not see a future path.
Over the past 50 years, your companies have been the disruptor and the disrupted. How do you manage that change and survive?
Try and look ahead; if you are diversified, you will always be both at the same time! Again, from the book, I mention critical advice from key mentors. “People like Monty Shapiro, my first business mentor, when I was in my twenties, who told me, ’Son, always ask, ”What if not?“ What if things do not go as planned?’ He taught me to assess the worst that could happen and ensure that we could live to fight another day, advice that I hear in my head thinking over every big deal.”
What advice would you give to someone your age when you were starting out in the connectivity business?
Stay curious, open-minded, follow and project changes in your chosen field whatever it is: wired, wireless, or satellite. Technological capabilities are evolving rapidly—as are connectivity needs. AI will drive demand in new ways, as will national security.
In the book I write, “’Adapt or die’ isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s the brutal truth. The companies that evolve prosper; the ones stuck in the past get left there. Cable’s ability to pivot, from TV into broadband and telephone and wireless connectivity, demonstrates precisely how industries not only survive disruption but surf it for new opportunities. Adaptability is a pillar of the industry’s enduring success.”
How does looking back help you see the future of connectivity?
Looking back highlights the accelerating pace of technological change. Many trends are predictable, but occasionally a breakthrough reverses long-held limitations. For example, Elon Musk dramatically reduced the cost of rocket launches, which made Starlink—and global satellite internet—economically viable for the first time. These inflection points shape the future of connectivity.
Inspiring the Next Generation
John Malone’s journey from the early days of cable television to today’s convergent connectivity landscape offers invaluable lessons for the next generation of industry innovators. His emphasis on adaptability, mentorship, and forward-thinking vision exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that has driven this industry forward. At Syndeo Institute, we are committed to preserving these stories and using them to inspire and prepare tomorrow’s leaders in media and telecommunications. Through resources like our Oral History collection and profiles of industry pioneers, we connect the entrepreneurial past to an innovative future. Get more information and buy your copy of Born to Be Wired.
